Figure 1.

A model of the stages of bacterial biofilm development. At stage 1, the bacterial
cells attach reversibly to the surface. Then, at stage 2, the cells attach irreversibly,
a step mediated mainly by exopolymeric substances, and the cells lose their flagella-driven
motility. At the next stage (3), the first maturation phase is reached, as indicated
by early development of biofilm architecture. The second maturation phase is reached
at stage 4 with fully mature biofilms, as indicated by the complex biofilm architecture.
At the dispersion stage (5), single motile cells (dark cells on the figure) disperse
from the microcolonies. Adapted from [27].